BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTES and NORRT\u00c4LJE, Sweden - 17 June, 2003 - ems-ALLIANCE held a series of events recently from the 9th to the 13th of June. During the \"EMS Week\" event, domestic and international OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) met with EMS suppliers (manufacturers under contract) at ems-ALLIANCE for discussions on the procurement and production of materials globally. The Alliance also presented its operational model for procurement and low production cost. The Alliance was represented by its members from Brazil, India, Italy, China, Sweden and the USA.<\/p>\n
\"Global material sourcing is very much on the minds of OEMs right now,\" said Marina Filipsson, Chair of ems-ALLIANCE. \"Many of these companies are currently evaluating alternative solutions to bring down material and production costs, or are looking to improve the current strategy in these areas. During the EMS Week forum, we have had the opportunity to discuss trends and exchange ideas. In light of the current market situation, original equipment manufacturers are keen to discuss creative cost solutions.\"<\/p>\n
According to Marina Filipsson, the first operational Alliance model, first introduced by NOTE AB in Sweden, is currently being extended to the other five companies in the Alliance group. <\/p>\n
\"One of our main objectives as an EMS provider is to offer our clients a competitive advantage in terms of the lowest possible cost of materials and production. The Alliance model has worked very well to help NOTE's customers achieve efficiency and growth, which also enables the growth of our own business, something few European EMS providers have achieved in the last two years. We are now transferring this 'recipe' for efficiency and growth to our partners in the Alliance so that they can offer the same benefits to their customers,\" says Erik Stenfors, Chief Executive Officer of NOTE AB.<\/p>\n
EMS Week began at the NEPCON East\/Assembly East tradeshow in Boston, and continued in Lexington, KY, where the Alliance's US member, SMC, Inc, is located.<\/p>\n
Rob Coats, Managing Director of SMC said, \"We believe that participation in EMS Week was a good indication that original equipment manufacturers are open to new and unusual ways of accessing the global market for materials and production. Many OEMs want to explore the global market, but they don't want to sacrifice quality and service, and they don't have experience of doing business on the other side of the world. There are also many hurdles to overcome when transferring production from the US to low-cost countries. The alliance simplifies the process by accessing the global market through our partners worldwide, while maintaining the local service the client expects from an EMS partner.\" <\/p>\n
Over twenty original equipment manufacturers participated in the week's activities which included panel discussions with breaks for sessions on current trends in materials procurement, the ems-ALLIANCE operating model, and case studies of ems-ALLIANCE clients. The week culminated with a keynote address by Elaine Barnes, Global Accounts Manager at Future Electronics, Inc.<\/p>\n
For further information about ems-ALLIANCE, contact John Zurborg at SMC (001 859-253-3066) or chairman Marina Filipsson, ems-ALLIANCE (0176 799 00). For information about NOTE AB, contact Erik Stenfors on 0176-799 00. Or visit www.emsallaince.com.<\/p>\n